Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has emerged as one of the most active First Ladies in Nigeria’s recent history, having reportedly donated an estimated N12.9 billion to humanitarian causes over the past two years.
These donations, ranging from support for displaced families, widows, traders, and victims of natural disasters, were made through her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) and, at times, in her personal capacity.
While many have applauded her generosity and commitment to the underprivileged, others, particularly opposition figures and civil society leaders, are raising red flags about transparency, funding sources, and accountability.
Senator Tinubu is no stranger to philanthropy. As a former First Lady of Lagos State and senator representing Lagos Central, she championed initiatives such as the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) and New Era Foundation, aimed at empowering women and youths.
Since becoming First Lady of Nigeria in 2023, her efforts have scaled nationwide.
Among the many donations made between July 2023 and July 2025 include:
N14.25 million to 57 flood-affected families in Abuja (N250,000 each).
N50 million to 1,000 women traders across Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Edo States.
N427.75 million to 1,709 widows and orphans of fallen military personnel.
N500 million for displaced families in Plateau.
N70 million to women farmers in the North-West.
N150 million on scholarships and diaspora health support.
N95 million in cash and rice to Christian communities across Northern Nigeria.
N1 billion, in both 2024 and 2025, toward tuberculosis eradication efforts.
N1.85 billion for a Disability Empowerment Scheme, disbursed to persons with disabilities nationwide.
N1 billion to victims of attacks in Plateau and Benue States.
N100 million to the Five Cowries Art Education Initiative.
N250,000 each to 200 households in Kogi, plus food relief.
In August 2025 alone, N1 billion and relief materials were distributed to flood victims in Niger State.
She also launched a new empowerment scheme for 500 women in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
Senator Tinubu has repeatedly emphasized that the funds used in these initiatives are not from public coffers.
“I do not have vast sums of money, but what I have is meant to bring life… The money I use is not government funds. It is personally raised to help others,” she said.
“The Office of the First Lady has no constitutional allocation. If I kept money for personal gain, it would satisfy my greed. I choose to use what I have for the good of this country. This is not about politics, it’s about love for Nigeria.”
Her Special Adviser on Media, Busola Kukoyi, supported this stance, stating:
“She believes that the most important thing is to build human beings, and she feels the donations will affect human lives directly. She is a lover of humanity, and that is what she has been doing all her life.”
Kukoyi added that funding for the Renewed Hope Initiative comes from a governing board made up of “reputable men and women” across Nigeria, and “friends of the Initiative” who support her vision.
However, not everyone is convinced. Prominent voices in the opposition and civil society are demanding a closer look at the source and legality of the funds.
Tanko Yinusa, spokesman for the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, said:
“We are not opposed to her humanitarian services, they are good and welcome. However, she cannot be spending public funds without proper appropriation in the national budget.”
He warned that: “This is part of the impunity we are talking about, and it is enough to warrant questions, if not impeachment, should her husband’s administration fail to account for such expenditures. Nigerians deserve to know the business or businesses she is running if the funds are from her private purse.”
Yinusa also criticized the silence of the National Assembly and anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC and Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB):
“That such a level of spending has not attracted investigation is disturbing. It is a serious matter that must be probed. Yes, humanitarian efforts are commendable, but the public has a right to know the source of the funds being used.”
Ralph Nwosu, former National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), expressed similar concerns:
“The question we are asking is, how many such donations did Mrs Tinubu make before becoming First Lady, that she can now afford to donate billions within a few months?”
He argued that: “As decorated as the programmes may appear, the money wasted on palliatives and donations could have created over 500,000 jobs. The multiplier effects would have benefited over two million Nigerians.”
A senior legal adviser within the ruling party, citing the 1999 Constitution, said the issue is not trivial.
He explained that Part I of the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution prohibits public officers from accepting or giving gifts in connection with official functions:
“If she claims the money is from her personal purse, then she needs to show us the business source. Otherwise, if it is from donations, then it runs contrary to the law.”
He emphasized that under the Code of Conduct and the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act (CPRO) 2000, such transactions must meet strict conditions, particularly where donations come from private entities.
In her defense, the All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed the criticisms as political distractions.
Seye Oladejo, APC Lagos Publicity Secretary, said “These criticisms are not only unfounded, but they also ignore the longstanding track record of Senator Tinubu’s selfless service to Nigerians, especially the underprivileged and marginalised.”
He continued: “What is wrong with a First Lady showing empathy in action? What is wrong with using her platform to mobilise support for the less privileged? In a time when economic challenges weigh heavily on millions of families, any well-meaning initiative aimed at bringing relief and restoring dignity to lives should be encouraged, not condemned.”
The party concluded that: “Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s humanitarian gestures are not only noble, they are necessary. Her initiatives provide tangible relief and renewed hope for thousands of families across the country.”
